Downton Abbey

:

Season 4
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 2, 2014
    58
    All this twee is verging on twaddle.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Kevin Fallon
    Jan 10, 2014
    50
    Its characters are depressingly the same.... Pretty much everyone else is recycling their old plot points, too.
  3. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Sara Smith
    Jan 3, 2014
    50
    Showrunner Julian Fellowes knew he had to spice things up, apparently, so he employed a lazy, “shocking” plot device that will leave fans sickened, indignant and wondering why Fellowes just didn’t give his beloved characters something worthwhile to do instead. That offensive event aside, this season’s repetitive tropes, recycled conflicts and predictable heartbreak are not worth the trouble this time around.
  5. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jan 3, 2014
    50
    The show is becoming somewhat repetitive and a bit dull to the point that it feels like Downton, already renewed for a fifth season, needs to wrap it up sooner rather than later lest it overstay its welcome.
  6. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Jan 3, 2014
    50
    The show makes Granthams of all of us: content with what we have now (a middling costume soap opera) because we can still remember its glorious past (that first season). It’s safer and cozier than a show about open class warfare.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best TV Season of 2013
96
#96 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
79
#79 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 80
  3. Negative: 9 out of 80
  1. nicholasbert
    Jan 16, 2014
    6
    While still being a visual masterpiece for a tv-series, the fourth season lacked plot. I guess they thought they'd spiced things up withWhile still being a visual masterpiece for a tv-series, the fourth season lacked plot. I guess they thought they'd spiced things up with Mary's new suitors, but they actually didn't. I think this show needs to try harder to make the viewers perceive the passing of time and add a little bit of action.

    But Fellowes, being an aristocrat himself, is probably used to much slower, quieter, more upper-class paces than what we might be accustomed to. Let's see if season V grabs the bull by the horns and really transforms the Grantham family into something appealing.    … Full Review »
  2. ursomniac
    Apr 24, 2014
    10
    As long as we have the Dowager Countess, there is no way that Downton Abbey can EVER disappoint.

    Season 4 was a little dry, but FAR from a    As long as we have the Dowager Countess, there is no way that Downton Abbey can EVER disappoint.

    Season 4 was a little dry, but FAR from a disappointment!    … Full Review »
  3. haw2991
    Jan 6, 2014
    7
    It is becoming more apparent that creator Julian Fellowes direction/writing is becoming a tad predictable. Storylines/sub-plots developed inIt is becoming more apparent that creator Julian Fellowes direction/writing is becoming a tad predictable. Storylines/sub-plots developed in tonight's premiere episode seem re-hashed and recycled; it left me at times wondering,"haven't I already seen this brewing conflict before"? Maybe this is why Fellowes has recently hinted that series five may be the last of his hit-show. In any case, despite the agonizing repetition of old points present in this premiere, watching the Dowager Countess giving her witty one-liners and seeing both Carson and Mrs. Hughes in action always gives me life and is truly worth any measure of lackluster direction. I had my quarrels but I enjoyed the premiere immensely; change is never really Downton's thing anyway......… Full Review »
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